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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Ultimate Piano Scales and Arpeggios Knowledge Test

Evaluate Your Scale and Arpeggio Skills Today

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art illustrating a piano quiz on scales and arpeggios knowledge test.

Ready to challenge your knowledge with this piano scales quiz? Joanna Weib invites music students and educators to explore key signatures and fingering techniques in our interactive scales and arpeggios quiz. Perfect for learners seeking to reinforce their theory skills, it highlights areas for improvement and can be freely modified in the quizzes editor. For a quick refresher before you start, try the Basic Piano Theory Quiz .

What is the key signature of G major?
One flat
Two sharps
One sharp
No sharps or flats
G major has one sharp on the F line in its key signature. All other options do not match G major's standard signature.
What is the relative natural minor of C major?
B minor
A minor
E minor
D minor
The relative minor of C major is A minor, sharing the same key signature with no sharps or flats. Other minors have different signatures.
What is the whole and half step pattern for a major scale?
Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half
Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole
Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole
Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole
The major scale formula is W - W - H - W - W - W - H, creating the familiar major scale sound. The other sequences do not produce a major scale.
How many distinct notes are played in a triad arpeggio?
Six
Five
Four
Three
A triad consists of three different pitches: the root, third, and fifth. Playing its arpeggio outlines exactly those three notes.
Which fingering is correct for ascending a one-octave C major scale in the right hand?
1-2-1-3-1-2-3-4
1-3-2-3-1-2-3-4
1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4
1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5
The standard right-hand fingering for one octave C major ascending is 1 - 2 - 3, thumb under, then 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5. Other patterns break convention or hand position.
How many flats are in the key signature of Aâ™ major?
Two
Four
Five
Three
Aâ™ major has flats on Bâ™, Eâ™, Aâ™, and Dâ™, totaling four. No other count matches Aâ™ major.
What is the relative major key of B minor?
G major
F# major
D major
A major
B minor's relative major is D major, sharing the same two-sharp key signature. The other majors have different signatures.
In a right-hand fingering for a two-octave G major scale ascending, which finger crosses under to play the F# to G?
Index finger
Middle finger
Ring finger
Thumb
In G major ascending two octaves, the thumb crosses under on F# to reach G. Other fingers are not used for that crossing.
Which scale degree is raised in a harmonic minor scale compared to its natural minor?
Seventh degree
Third degree
Sixth degree
Second degree
The harmonic minor raises the seventh degree by a semitone to create a leading tone. The other degrees remain unchanged from the natural minor.
Which two intervals form the structure of a major triad arpeggio?
Minor third and major third
Perfect fourth and major second
Major third and minor third
Major third and perfect fourth
A major triad consists of a root to major third (4 semitones) followed by a major third to fifth (which is a minor third of 3 semitones).
When transposing an F major arpeggio up a perfect fourth, which key's arpeggio is the result?
B major
C major
G major
Bâ™ major
A perfect fourth above F is Bâ™, so the F major arpeggio transposes to Bâ™ major. Other options are different intervals.
In the circle of fifths, which key is three positions clockwise from C major?
E major
D major
A major
F major
Moving clockwise by fifths from C goes to G (1), D (2), and A (3), so the third position is A major.
What is the leading tone in E harmonic minor?
D#
D
C#
F#
E harmonic minor raises the seventh degree D to D# to form the leading tone. Other notes are not altered for that function.
How many semitones are between the root and fifth in a major arpeggio?
Eight semitones
Seven semitones
Six semitones
Five semitones
A perfect fifth spans exactly seven semitones, the interval between the root and fifth of a major triad.
In the C natural minor scale, what is the mediant (third scale degree)?
Aâ™
D
Eâ™
E
C natural minor's third degree is Eâ™, creating the minor third above the tonic. Other notes do not occupy the mediant position in that scale.
If you transpose a B harmonic minor scale down a perfect fourth, which harmonic minor scale do you get?
F harmonic minor
F# harmonic minor
C# harmonic minor
E harmonic minor
B down a perfect fourth (5 semitones) is F#. Thus B harmonic minor becomes F# harmonic minor. Other options are different intervals.
What is the interval pattern for an ascending melodic minor scale?
Whole, whole, half, whole, half, whole, whole
Half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole
Whole, half, whole, half, whole, whole, half
Whole, half, whole, whole, whole, whole, half
The ascending melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees, creating the pattern W - H - W - W - W - W - H. Other patterns correspond to different scales.
How many semitones are in a tritone interval commonly found in diminished arpeggios?
Six semitones
Four semitones
Five semitones
Seven semitones
A tritone interval spans six semitones, characteristic of the diminished fifth. The other counts refer to different intervals.
Transpose the F minor arpeggio (F - Aâ™ - C) up a major sixth; what arpeggio results?
D minor (D - F - A)
G minor (G - Bâ™ - D)
E minor (E - G - B)
D major (D - F# - A)
A major sixth above F is D, so F - Aâ™ - C transposes to D - F - A, which is a D minor arpeggio. Other options mismatch accidentals or intervals.
Which chord built on the fifth degree of A harmonic minor serves as its dominant?
F major
E major (E - G# - B)
E minor
D major
In A harmonic minor, the V chord is E - G# - B, a major triad due to the raised seventh. The other chords are not the true dominant in that key.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify major, natural minor, and harmonic minor scales by their signatures.
  2. Analyze arpeggio patterns across all twelve keys.
  3. Apply correct fingering for seamless scale and arpeggio execution.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of tonal relationships in scale sequences.
  5. Evaluate interval structures within scales and arpeggios.
  6. Master transposing scales and arpeggios to new keys.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand scale structures - Dive into the unique patterns of major, natural minor, and harmonic minor scales to see how each fingerprint builds musical flavor. Spotting whole and half-step sequences makes sight-reading smoother and boosts your ear. Learn Piano Online
  2. Practice arpeggio patterns - Work through major and minor arpeggios in all twelve keys to fire up muscle memory and fluidity across the keyboard. Start with C major (C-E-G) then jump into A minor (A-C-E) for a tasty variety. Piano Scales
  3. Master fingering techniques - Nail down the ideal fingerings for each scale and arpeggio so your hands glide effortlessly from note to note. Proper positioning minimizes awkward leaps and sets you up for lightning-fast passages. Piano-Ology Fingering Charts
  4. Explore tonal relationships - Discover how each scale degree interacts to create tension, release, and color - for instance, G in C major acts as the dominant, pushing back to the cozy tonic C. This insight adds emotional depth to your playing. Dive into Tonal Relationships
  5. Analyze interval structures - Examine the distances between notes to understand what makes a scale sound bright, dark, or exotic. Knowing whole and half-step patterns is like having a blueprint for constructing any scale. Interval Structures Guide
  6. Practice transposing - Challenge yourself by shifting scales and arpeggios into new keys - start by turning C major into G major by bumping F to F#. This supercharges your versatility in jams and performances. Transposing Techniques
  7. Build a consistent routine - Carve out daily scale and arpeggio sessions to strengthen your fingers and sharpen your focus. Begin slow for accuracy, then crank up the metronome as you gain confidence. Practice Routine Tips
  8. Use mnemonic devices - Turn key signatures into memorable phrases like "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle" to lock in sharp orders. These playful tricks lighten the load on your memory. Memory Aid Strategies
  9. Listen to the pros - Tune in to professional recordings of scales and arpeggios to hear phrasing, dynamics, and articulation in action. Emulating these subtle details refines your own musical voice. Listening Practice Tips
  10. Apply to real pieces - Spot scales and arpeggio patterns hiding in your favorite songs to aid memorization and interpretation. This detective-style approach makes learning fresh and fun. Integrate into Repertoire
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